FA Stamping Down

FA Stamping Down

Article excerpt

Arsenal last night said they would consider an appeal after feeling the full wrath of the FA following the ugly scenes at the end of their match with Manchester United.

Lauren and Martin Keown were hit by four and three-game suspensions respectively for their part in the melee at the end of their goalless draw at Old Trafford on September 21.

Ray Parlour and Patrick Vieira, dismissed during the game, must serve one-match bans, Ashley Cole was fined and the club have been hit with a pounds 175,000 penalty and warned about their future conduct for failing to control their players. All the suspensions start on November 17.

The Gunners are pondering the appeal despite admitting their players were in the wrong. They have had 52 players sent off in Arsene Wenger's seven-year reign.

In the uproar at Old Trafford five weeks ago Arsenal - angered by Vieira's dismissal for aiming a kick at Ruud van Nistelrooy - pushed, shoved and goaded the United striker when the final whistle sounded just seconds after he had missed a penalty. …